Transmitter identifier database for enhanced GPS performance

ABSTRACT

A mobile station database of cellular identifications and associated position information is stored in mobile station memory. The mobile station uses the position information in the database to assist in determining a current position for the mobile based on an identifier, such as cell ID, base station BSIC, PSC, or carrier frequency. A satellite vehicle signal is searched in an uncertainty region that is a function of position information associated with the current identifier. The uncertainty region can be limited by assumed platform dynamics via predefined velocity and acceleration information. Time maintenance for the mobile station can also be achieved through known approximate position from the position database and measurement of a single satellite vehicle propagation delay. The mobile station can compare a position determination obtained through satellite vehicle signals with position database information to determine the validity of that position. Out-of-network position information is also stored in the position database and is optionally shared with a network.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/253,359, filedOct. 18, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 60/620,311, filed Oct. 19, 2004. Each of theabove-identified is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present method and apparatus relates generally to positioningsystems for wireless user equipment, and more specifically to a mobilestation database of cellular identifications and associated positioninformation for assisted position determination.

BACKGROUND

Accurate position information of user equipment (UE) such as cellulartelephones, personal communication system (PCS) devices, and othermobile stations (MSs) is becoming prevalent in the communicationsindustry. The Global Positioning System (GPS) offers an approach toproviding wireless UE position determination. GPS employs satellitevehicles (SVs) in orbit around the earth. A GPS user can derive precisenavigation information including three-dimensional position, velocityand time of day through information gained from the SVs.

GPS systems determine position based on the measurement of the times ofarrival at a GPS receiver antenna of the GPS signals broadcast from theorbiting SVs. Normally, reception of signals from four SVs is requiredfor precise position determination in four dimensions (latitude,longitude, altitude, and time). The observed signal propagation delay isthe difference between the observed signal transmit time and the assumedlocal receive time. A pseudorange is constructed by scaling the observedpropagation delay by the speed of light. The location and time are foundby solving a set of four equations with four unknowns incorporating themeasured pseudoranges and the known locations of the SVs. The precisecapabilities of the GPS system are maintained using on-board atomicclocks for each SV, in conjunction with tracking stations thatcontinuously monitor and correct SV clock and orbit parameters.

One disadvantage of the GPS system for location determination is therelatively long time needed to perform signal acquisition under certainconditions. SV signals cannot be tracked until they have first beenlocated by searching in a two-dimensional search “space”, whosedimensions are code-phase delay and observed Doppler frequency shift.Typically, if there is no prior knowledge of a signal's location withinthis search space, as would be the case after a receiver “cold start”, alarge number of code delays and frequencies must be searched for each SVsignal that is to be acquired and tracked. These locations are examinedsequentially, a process that can take several minutes in a conventionalGPS receiver.

GPS receivers must acquire signals from SVs whenever the receiver haslost reception, such as, after power down, or when the signal has beenblocked from the receiver for some period of time. After acquiring thesignals, they may be maintained or “tracked.” Assuming a fixedsensitivity threshold, the time spent acquiring the SV signals isproportional to the total search space that is derived from the productof time and frequency uncertainty. For applications that desire highsensitivity, the signal re-acquisition delay may take tens of seconds ifthe search space is large.

In order to reduce this delay, information may be provided to aid a GPSreceiver in acquiring a particular signal. Such assistance informationpermits a receiver to narrow the search space that must be searched inorder to locate a signal, by providing bounds on the code and frequencydimensions. The predicted code window provides a reduced range withinwhich the “code phase” (effectively, the signal time of arrival, or“pseudorange”) should be found, or a predicted range of observed Dopplershift associated with the signal. Assistance may also include otherinformation about the signal, such as its PN (pseudo-noise orpseudo-random) code, data bit modulation, and content. Narrower code andfrequency windows reduce the overall search space resulting in areduction in the time in which the receiver takes to acquire the signal.A system that employs a GPS receiver augmented with externally sourcedGPS assistance data is commonly referred to as an “assisted globalpositioning system” (AGPS).

One example of an AGPS system is a wireless mobile station (MS) with GPScapabilities in communication with one or more base stations (BSs), alsoreferred to as base transmitting stations (BTSs) or node Bs, which inturn communicate with one or more servers, also called PositionDetermination Entities (PDEs) or Serving Mobile Location Centers (SMLCs)depending upon the communication air interface protocol. The PDE derivesGPS assistance information from one or more GPS reference receivers. ThePDE also has access to a means of determining the approximate MSposition. This might consist of a “base station almanac” (BSA) thatprovides BTS/node B location based upon serving cell identification (ID)reported by the MS. Alternatively, this may be derived via a AnyTimeInterrogation (ATI) request to the “home location registry” (HLR)associated with the MS. The PDE computes the assistance informationcustomized for the approximate MS position. The BSA provides theapproximate location of the MS based upon the serving cellidentification provided to the PDE by the MS. The BSA provides thegeographical coordinates for a reference position. The PDE alsomaintains a GPS database that contains reference time, satellite orbitalmanac and ephemeris information, ionosphere information, and satelliteworking condition (“health”) information.

The goal of such GPS assistance information is to permit the MS topredict the time of arrival, or code phase, of a particular SV signal,and the Doppler shift of the SV signal. If the MS is provided with aninitial reference position that is within an area of predefined size,such as a particular cellular coverage, then the total search space canbe reduced to that consistent with the predefined size. Reducing searchspace size allows the receiver to spend more time processing each codeand frequency hypothesis resulting in improved overall sensitivity.Sensitivity improvements in excess of 20 dB can be obtained by usingreduced search space.

However, assisted position location systems depend upon communicationwith an external entity. Such communication suffers from connection andmessaging latency, consumes additional power and consumes additionalcommunication system bandwidth that impacts the overall capacity.

Position determination thus requires frequent updates of either or bothorbital data or acquisition assistance for satellite signal acquisition.A need exists for a system and method that improves the performance andaccuracy of position determination with diminishing dependence uponfrequent updates of orbital data or satellite signal acquisitionassistance.

SUMMARY

The method herein for determining position of a mobile station includesstoring a database of system transmitter identifiers and associatedposition information in mobile station memory. The mobile station usesthe position database to assist in mobile station positiondetermination. The database consists of one or more transmitteridentifiers and mobile station position information associated with theidentifier. The transmitter identifiers may consist of one or morecellular identifications, such as cell ID, base station identity code(BSIC), primary scrambling code (PSC), and base station carrierfrequency. Satellite vehicle signals are searched in an uncertaintyregion that is a function of the mobile station position informationstored in the database. The size of the position uncertainty region iseither based upon position information, is of a predefined size, or isbased upon propagation of a predefined size that is grown using assumedplatform dynamics.

Platform dynamics using predefined host platform velocity andacceleration information limits the size of the uncertainty region. Asatellite vehicle signal is searched in the smaller region (R_(o)) of anuncertainty region based upon position information stored in thedatabase, an uncertainty region of predefined size, and an uncertaintyregion based upon platform dynamics for an initial position (x_(o),y_(o)).

If a precise or approximate position is known at a later position (x₁,y₁), then the mobile station selects the smaller region (R₁) of anuncertainty region based upon position information stored in thedatabase, an uncertainty region of predefined size, and an uncertaintyregion based upon platform dynamics for the later position (x₁, y₁ ).Searching begins in the area of overlap of (R₀) and (R₁) for this laterposition.

The position database is maintained by updating position informationassociated with a transmitter identifier as this information isobtained. Previous position information and current position informationare used to recalculate an approximate position associated with atransmitter identifier.

The position information in the position database provides mobilestation time maintenance and sanity checks on position determinations aswell. An “out-of-network” position database can be constructed by thenetwork by associating position fix reports with the serving basestation identifier The “out-of-network” database can optionally betransferred to another network.

The mobile station herein includes a two-way communication system, aposition location system, mobile station control, and the positiondatabase in mobile station memory. The position location system, mobilecontrol, and memory communicate such that a satellite vehicle signal issearched based upon position information in the position database.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus are shown in thefollowing figures, in which like reference numbers and designationsindicate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of communication amongst a mobilestation, base station, radio network controller, core network, andposition determination entity;

FIG. 1B illustrates the approximate coverage area for a base station ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example mobile station with position locationcapabilities;

FIG. 3 illustrates an outline for a method of building and maintainingthe mobile station position database;

FIG. 4 a illustrates a region of uncertainty around an initial positionbased on platform dynamics;

FIG. 4 b illustrates a region of uncertainty around an initial positionbased on information from the mobile station position database;

FIG. 4 c illustrates a region of uncertainty of a predefined size aroundan initial position;

FIG. 4 d illustrates the determination of an uncertainty region basedupon platform dynamics and the mobile station position database;

FIG. 4 e illustrates the determination of an uncertainty region basedupon information from the mobile station position database;

FIG. 5 a illustrates an outline for a method of determining anuncertainty region based upon platform dynamics and the mobile stationposition database; and

FIG. 5 b illustrates a continuation of the outline of FIG. 5 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The method and apparatus described herein is applicable forcommunication systems, such as wireless position location systems thatacquire and utilize global positioning system satellite vehicle signalsas well as those that use acquisition assistance data, such as AGPSsystems. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that thesystem and method herein may be employed in any communication airinterface protocol, such as but not limited to, UMTS, GSM, and codedivision multiple access (CDMA).

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, diagrams illustrate an example of anMS 10 with GPS capabilities communicating with a serving base station12, also known as a base transmitting station (BTS) in GSM protocol or a“node B” in UMTS protocol. The term “mobile station” is used herein todescribe any type of equipment with position location capability and isnot to be limited to any particular type of hardware. The MS 10 iscommunicating with the BTS 12 because MS 10 is located in the coveragearea of the BTS 12. If the serving antenna of the BTS 12 operatesdirectly from this base station, (for example, there is no repeater inthe communication path) then an appropriate first estimation of thecoverage area 24 of BTS 12 is a circle of radius R centered at theserving antenna of BTS 12 as shown in FIG. 1B. Thus, the uncertainty ofthe location of MS 10 lies within this coverage area 24, also referredto as the “uncertainty region.” (It will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the coverage area is not necessarily circular, but is morerealistically a sector shape.)

Base stations 12 communicate with a radio network controller (RNC) 14,which in turn communicates with a core network (CN) 16. A positionserver, or position determination entity (PDE), 18 communicates with thecore network to provide position determination assistance to a mobilestation. The PDE 18 stores a base station almanac (BSA) 20 which storesreference positions for a mobile station and in the case of the CDMA airinterface, time delay calibration estimates. The PDE also maintains alocal database of satellite orbit almanac, clock and ephemerisinformation, ionosphere information, and satellite working condition(“health”) information. Some of this information is customized for theapproximate location of the MS; this is determined by the BSA using themobile's cellular identification. A GPS reference receiver, or worldarea reference network (WARN), 22 provides reference SV information tothe PDE 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrates components of the MS 10depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The mobile station 10 includes a two-waycommunication system 26, such as but not limited to a cellularcommunication system, which transmits and receives signals via antenna28. The communication system includes modem 30, such as a UMTS, CDMA, orGSM modem. Mobile station 10 includes a position location system, suchas a Global Positioning System 32 having a GPS receiver 34 that receivesSV signals via antenna 36. The modem 30 and GPS receiver 34 communicatewith one another, and the MS cellular identification, frequency, andother radio information is shared between the two. Mobile control 38 isprovided by a central processing unit (CPU) and associated memory,hardware, software, and firmware. It will be understood as used hereinthat the CPU can, but need not necessarily include, one or moremicroprocessors, embedded processors, controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), and thelike. The term CPU is intended to describe the functions implemented bythe system rather than specific hardware. The user interface 40 allows auser to enter information into and receive information from MS 10. Asused herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, shortterm, or other memory associated with the MS, and is not to be limitedto any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of mediaupon which memory is stored.

Before an MS 10 obtains its position, either through ephemeris data oracquisition assistance, the only relevant data that the MS possesses isits MS cellular identification, hereafter “cell ID”. Each BTS in theworld in GSM, UMTS, and GPRS protocols has a unique cell ID. Standard3GPP TS 23.003 defines the “Cell Global Identity” as consisting of thethree-digit MCC+the two or three digit MNC+two byte LAC+2 byte CI, whereMCC refers to mobile country code, MNC refers to mobile network code,LAC refers to location area code, and CI refers to cell identity.Although the definition of “Cell Global Identity” is currently in useand serves the purpose of the “cell ID” referred to herein, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that a “cell ID” need not bedefined in precisely the manner of the 3GPP TS standard; an endlessvariety of components could make up a unique cell ID and still functionin the same way to produce the same result as that described in thepresent method and apparatus. As used herein, the terms “cellularidentifications” or “cellular identification” in general refers to notonly “cell ID”, but other identifications as well, including but notlimited to, base station identity codes (BSICs), primary scramblingcodes (PSCs), and base station carrier frequencies.

The network may obtain the cell ID by submitting an any timeinterrogation (ATI) to the home location register (HLR). The request cancontain the international mobile equipment identity (IMSI) or mobilestation integrated services digital network (MSISDN) identification.Additionally, the cell ID is extracted by the MS from periodicallybroadcast system information messages. Associating the cell ID with anapproximate position represents the most basic way of describing thegeneral location of an MS. It requires the network to identify the BTSwith which the MS is in communication and the location of that BTS. Oncethe location of the BTS is known, then the approximate location of theMS is known to be somewhere within the coverage area of that BTS, or theuncertainty region. (See FIG. 1B.) The accuracy of this method ofdetermining the approximate MS position depends of course on the cellsize, or coverage area, and can be poor in many cases because thetypical GSM cell, for example, ranges between two kilometers and thirtytwo kilometers in radius. Thus, not only is the precise location of theMS within a particular coverage area unknown, but the radius of onecoverage area is also unlikely to be the same as that of another.

During handoffs the MS does not necessarily retrieve the cell ID ofsubsequent base stations, but instead retains the cell ID of the basestation to which the MS connected during power-up. For more rapididentification purposes, when an MS is handed off to a subsequent basestation, the smaller, locally-unambiguous BSIC identifier—in GSMprotocol, or PSC identifier—in UMTS protocol, along with the carrierfrequency is accessed by the MS. However, while the cell ID is unique toeach base station, the BSIC and PSC identifiers are not unique to eachbase station but are instead reused by other base stations elsewhere inthe world.

Most mobiles spend a significant amount of time in a given geographicalregion. For example, a GPS system installed in an automobile or thecellular telephone of a user of that same automobile typically travelswithin a confined perimeter, e.g. the San Francisco Bay Area. The methodand apparatus described herein for mobile-assisted positiondetermination utilizes the fact that most mobile stations spend themajority of operating time in a particular geographical region. Themethod and apparatus herein includes a position database of cellidentifiers and associated position information.

Each time a MS requests a position determination, either through UEBased or UE Assisted GPS, or by other means, various cellularidentifications, including but not limited to, the cell ID, latitude andlongitude, PSC or BSIC, and base station carrier frequency associatedwith the final, precisely determined position are stored in a database42 (see FIG. 2). (The term “precise” position as used herein refers tothe final position as determined through the use of a positioningsystem, such as but not limited to GPS). The position database 42 isstored and maintained in memory associated with the mobile station. TheMS thus “learns” the relationship between cellular identifications suchas cell ID, latitude and longitude, PSC or BSIC, and carrier frequencywithin the region it travels at each time (t) that the MS determines itsposition. An example of sample positions determined at different times(t) are shown in Table I, where f_(c) _(—) refers to base stationcarrier frequency.

TABLE I Time Cell ID Precise Latitude (P_(lat)) Precise Longitude(P_(lon)) PSC/BSIC f_(c) t₁ x 65.78 degrees −90.88 degrees a 10 MHz t₂ x65.79 degrees −90.90 degrees a 10 MHz t₃ x 65.80 degrees −90.89 degreesa 10 MHz t₄ x 65.78 degrees −90.87 degrees a 10 MHz t₅ y 65.88 degrees−91.93 degrees b 15 MHz t₆ z 65.24 degrees −92.13 degrees c 20 MHz

As the position database is built, the coverage area 24 (FIG. 1B), oruncertainty region of MS location, for any particular cell ID is moreaccurately defined. The more often that a position is requested inassociation with a particular cell ID and stored, e.g. cell ID x inTable I, the more accurate the geographical perimeter of the uncertaintyregion becomes.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that a variety ofalgorithms or formulas can be applied to determine an approximateposition (AP) based upon precise positions (P) associated with a cell IDdetermined at different times (t), given the sample data stored in theposition database, where:AP=f(P _(t) ₁ , P _(t) ₂ , P _(t) ₃ , . . . ).  (1)For example, an approximate latitude and longitude associated with aparticular cell ID may be determined by averaging all of the samplelatitudes and longitudes found in association with the cell ID, or bytaking a weighted average of the sample latitudes and longitudes,weighted by the uncertainty region associated with the measurement. Themanner of arriving at an approximate latitude and longitude for eachcell ID is not limited to any one methodology.

Once an approximate position associated with a particular cell ID isdetermined, it is stored by cell ID, an example of which is depicted inTable II.

TABLE II Approx. Lat. Cell ID (AP_(lat)) Approx. Long. (AP_(lon))PSC/BSIC f_(c) x 65.788 degrees  −90.885 degrees  a 10 MHz y 65.88degrees −91.93 degrees b 15 MHz z 65.24 degrees −92.13 degrees c 20 MHzThis approximate position is then used by the MS to begin searching forthe SV signal. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art thatthe information stored in the position database 42 need not be in theform or format shown in Tables I and II, but can be stored in any mannerthat is relevant or useful to the system and method described herein.The sampled position data, such as illustrated in Table I, approximateposition data, such as illustrated in Table II, and any other datanecessary to arrive at an approximate position are herein referred to incombination as the position database 42. Thus the position database 42includes one or more cell identifiers: cell identification, BSIC, PSC,and/or carrier frequency, and associated position information. Thedatabase is maintained based upon updated mobile station positioninformation gained each time the mobile station determines position.Both previous and current position information is used to continuallymaintain the database. FIG. 3 outlines the process of building andmaintaining the position database 42.

Referring to FIG. 3, whenever the MS powers up, is handed off, orencounters some form of reselection event, the MS receives the BSIC/PSCidentifier and carrier frequency of the current base station 44. The MSsearches the position database 42 for the BSIC/PSC identifier andcarrier frequency 46 to determine if they have yet been initializedwithin the database 48. If not, the MS will encounter an “uninitialized”state for these identifiers, meaning the MS has not yet associated thisparticular base station with a meaningful location (either absolute orrelative), and in which case the MS monitors the broadcast informationto extract the relevant cell ID information. It should be noted that thelocally unambiguous cell information (carrier frequency, BCIC/PSC) areestablished as a function of acquiring the BTS broadcast channel. Thecell ID, BSIC/PSC and frequency are then included into the database 55.A position associated with these identifiers can be retrieved from thedatabase the next time that the MS requires position associated withthese identifiers through either UE Assisted or UE Based modes ofoperation or any other positioning method. 72. If the BSIC/PSCidentifier and carrier frequency are in the database 48, then the cellID associated with that BSIC/PSC identifier and carrier frequency isretrieved 52 from the database.

As mentioned earlier, the locally unambiguous channel selectionparameters (frequency/BSIC/PSC) will need to be validated using theglobally unambiguous Cell ID. This process is typically performed aftera loss of network lock or power cycle. Once the base station sends itscell ID 50, the MS compares the cell ID located in the database with thecell ID received from the base station 54 to ensure that the BSIC/PSCidentifier and carrier frequency are that of a known base station withwhich the MS communicated at an earlier time, rather than that of a basestation elsewhere in the world that was not been previously encounteredwhen determining position. If the cell ID received from the current basestation matches that in the position database associated with thecurrent BSIC/PSC identifier and carrier frequency, then the positiondatabase is validated for that particular cell ID-BSIC/PSC-frequencycombination, as well as for the cell ID-BSIC/PSC-frequency combinationsstored in the position database that are in geographical proximity tothat cell ID. Because the cell ID-BSIC/PSC-frequency combinations ingeographical proximity to the current cell ID are validated, the MS neednot confirm the cell ID associated with a particular BSIC/PSC-frequencyreceived during subsequent handoffs during the same session. Positioncan be determined from the position database after each handoff asoutlined at 62 through 70 of FIG. 3 as described below.

If the cell ID received from the current base station does not matchthat in the database, then the database must be updated to include thecurrent BSIC/PSC identifier, carrier frequency, and current cell IDreceived from the base station 55. This circumstance indicates to the MSthat it is in a geographical location never before encountered whendetermining position, and likely some distance from the region typicallytraversed. Position information associated with the current cell ID,BSIC/PSC and frequency is stored once a position request is made at thiscell ID via UE Based GPS, UE Assisted GPS or any other positioningmethod 72.

When the MS requests a position determination 56, it accesses theposition database 58. The database is searched for the current cellID—or BSIC/PSC and frequency if they are appropriately validated for theparticular region in which the MS is traveling. If the database includesthe current cell ID, or BSIC/PSC and frequency, then the approximateposition information is obtained for that cell ID 62.

Provided this approximate position information, the MS searches for theSV signals using localized frequency and code phase search windows 64 inan uncertainty region that is a function of the position informationstored in the database. The MS stores the precise position informationalong with the current cell ID, BSIC/PSC and frequency 66 (such as thatshown in Table I). Then the approximate position associated with thatcell ID, BSIC/PSC and frequency is recalculated 68 taking into accountthis latest “sample” precise position. Once this revised approximateposition is calculated, the position database is updated 70 (such asshown in Table II). This methodology is performed by a suitable routineor routines operating in mobile control 38 (FIG. 2) or in communicationwith the mobile station.

The position information provided by the position database 42 therebyreduces the amount of search uncertainty associated with acquisition ofan SV signal. By building and maintaining this MS position database 42(FIG. 2), the MS also improves other MS performance criteria such astime maintenance, sensitivity, response time, and MS “keep-warm”operation. If position uncertainty is reduced, then the MS can afford tospend an increased amount of time searching for the SV signal at eachpoint within the uncertainty region, which enables the MS to acquire thesignal at a reduced signal-to-noise ratio. A reduced uncertainty regionalso improves response time taken to acquire the signal. Keep-warmoperation refers to the ability of a receiver to locally maintain a copyof location and time for position and time maintenance. Use of theposition database 42 further reduces dependence upon the need to performperiodic position sessions to maintain an approximate position estimatewith reduced uncertainty. UE Based GPS, UE Assisted GPS or any otherpositioning method.

Handoffs or reselection events can be used to limit position uncertaintygrowth even without current position information. Typically positionregion uncertainty grows as a function of time and assumed platformdynamics:

$\begin{matrix}{{s = {{ut} + {\frac{1}{2}{at}^{2}}}},} & (2)\end{matrix}$where u is velocity, a is acceleration, t is time, and s is the radiusof growth about an initial position. Turning to FIG. 4 a, if a preciseposition (x₀, y₀) is known for a particular cell ID that the MS accessedat a particular time (t₀) 74, then as the MS travels, an uncertaintyregion 76 at time (t₁) can be determined by extrapolating from the lastknown position, (t₀), using assumed platform dynamics. An SV signal canbe searched within this region 76. By programming an MS, for example, aGPS system installed in a particular platform, with velocity andacceleration information specific to that platform, this information canbe used to calculate position uncertainty growth. For example, the MScould calculate uncertainty region growth based on maximum velocity andmaximum acceleration of the platform, or upon a “typical” predefinedvelocity and acceleration. The method of calculating uncertainty regiongrowth is not limited to any particular velocity or acceleration.

Alternatively, the MS position database 42 provides an uncertaintyregion within which to search based on cell ID, or BSIC/PSC andfrequency information (e.g., Table I). The uncertainty region can be afunction of position information in the position database 42. Referringto FIG. 4 b, an uncertainty region 78 is defined by the perimeter ofposition points for a particular cell ID or BSIC/PSC-frequency.Alternatively, uncertainty region 78 is based upon position informationassociated with the cell ID or BSIC/PSC-frequency in some manner, suchas by performing a mathematical operation on the data. However, if cellsize information is extremely limited in the position database for aparticular cell ID or BSIC/PSC-frequency, such as when there is only oneor very few precise positions recorded for a particular cell ID, thenthe uncertainty region can be of a predefined area 80 for that cell IDor BSIC/PSC-frequency as shown in FIG. 4 c. The region of uncertainty isconsidered unknown for a particular cell ID when less than a predefinednumber of precise positions have been recorded in association with thatcell ID, or by any other means known to those of skill in the art.

Both platform dynamics and position uncertainty gained from the positiondatabase 42 provide information about the size and location of theuncertainty region. If either the position database provides anapproximate position at a particular time (t₀), or a precise position isknown at time (t₀), then an uncertainty region grows around theapproximate or precise position based on equation (2) and is thuslimited at a later point in time (t₁). SV signals can initially besearched within the uncertainty region of smaller area: either theuncertainty region as bounded by equation (2) 76, or the uncertaintyregion gained from the position database 78 or 80.

Further, if approximate position is also known at time (t₁) from theposition database, then the uncertainty region is further bounded by thearea of overlap as shown in FIG. 4 d. With reference to FIG. 4 d, adiagram illustrates the determination of an uncertainty region basedupon platform dynamics and the position database. If precise orapproximate position is known at time t₀=(x₀, y₀), then the uncertaintyregion bounded by platform dynamics is the area within circle 76.Further, if at time (t₁) the position database provides an approximateposition (x₁, y₁) 77 and associated uncertainty region 78 (see also FIG.4 b), then the uncertainty region is likely within the area of overlap82 of regions 76 and 78. The search for the SV signal begins in the areaof overlap 82 as that is the region where the SV signal is most likelyfound.

The possibilities for bounding the uncertainty region based uponplatform dynamics and the position database are vast. Either platformdynamics, the position database, or both can be used to bound theuncertainty region as the MS travels. One last example is shown in FIG.4 e, which illustrates an MS traveling from an initial approximateposition at time t₀=(x₀, y₀), to a second approximate position at timet₁=(x₁, y₁)—both known from the position database. If an uncertaintyregion is known for both positions from the position database, thensearching at time (t₁) begins in the area of overlap of the twouncertainty regions.

Referring to FIG. 5 a, a diagram outlines a method for bounding theuncertainty region using the position database 42 and platform dynamics.While illustrative of this method, those of skill in the art willappreciate that several steps shown can be taken in different order toachieve the same result. Further, fewer or additional steps may be takento achieve the same result. At the time of manufacture, velocity andacceleration information relevant to the MS are programmed into the MS84. At time (t₀), either an approximate position is known via theposition database or a precise position is known based on SV signalacquisition, (x₀, y₀) 86. At time (t₁) position is requested by the MS.The MS accesses the position database to determine if an uncertaintyregion around (x₀, y₀) is available 88. If not, the MS assigns anuncertainty region around (x₀, y₀), such as, but not limited to, acircle of predefined radius with (x₀, y₀) at the center 90. The MS alsodetermines the uncertainty region around (x₀, y₀) from platform dynamics92. The MS then selects the smallest uncertainty region (R₀) around (x₀,y₀) derived by either platform dynamics, the position database, or thepredefined size 94.

Continuing on to FIG. 5 b, the MS also checks the position database attime (t₁) for an approximate position (x₁, y₁) 96. If approximateposition (x₁, y₁) is not available from the position database, then theSV is searched within the uncertainty region (R₀) 98. If approximateposition (x₁, y₁) is available from the position database, then the MSchecks for an uncertainty region associated with (x₁, y₁) from theposition database 100. If unavailable, the region is set to a predefinedsize 102. The MS also determines the uncertainty region around (x₁, y₁)from platform dynamics 104. The smallest uncertainty region (R₁) around(x₁, y₁) derived by either platform dynamics, the position database, orpredefined size is selected 106. Finally, the SV signal is initiallysearched within the area of overlap of (R₀) and (R₁) 108. If there is noarea of overlap, the MS searches for the signal in region (R₁). Thismethodology is performed by a suitable routine or routines operating inmobile control 38 (FIG. 2) or in communication with the mobile station.

In addition to providing SV signal acquisition assistance, the MSposition database can be used for time maintenance. Time maintenancedepends upon knowledge of SV positions, and is performed using almanacand ephemeris satellite orbit information. For example, although GSM andUMTS air interface protocols have asynchronous timing, accurate time canbe determined by solving four equations in four unknowns as describedabove. Thus, if position is unknown, at least four SV signal propagationdelay measurements are required to determine position. However, ifposition is known only the time variable remains, and only onemeasurement is required. Using approximate position data stored in theMS for a particular cell ID, time can be determined by measuring asingle SV signal propagation delay. For example, if a MS was handed offto another cell, then only one SV measurement would be required todetermine the correct time, given an approximate position. Theapproximate position need not be accurate in order to maintain accuratetime to within +/−100 microseconds. The effect of MS movement on thetime calculation is geometry-dependent. MS movement affects the delaymeasurement more if the SV is nearer to the horizon or at 0°, and lessif the SV is directly above the MS, or at 90°. However, typically onekilometer of error in position is equivalent to approximately onemicrosecond of error in time. This methodology is performed by asuitable routine or routines operating in mobile control 38 (FIG. 2) orin communication with the mobile station.

The position database 42 can further be used as a “sanity check” on aposition provided by SV signal measurement. Once a position isdetermined, it can be compared to positions previously located withinthe same cell ID and/or BSIC/PSC-frequency combination. Positiondetermination can be affected by an errant measurement such as receivingan SV signal with a poor signal to noise ratio, picking up noise thatappears to be an SV signal, multipath, interference, or othercommunication issues. The method herein optionally includes the step ofcomparing a position determination associated with a particular cell IDand/or BSIC/PSC-frequency combination to what is known by the positiondatabase. If a position location within a particular cell ID and/orBSIC/PSC-frequency combination falls far afield from previously sampledpositions (e.g. see Table I), then the position is deemed faulty, or atleast suspect. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art thatany number or type of comparisons between data in the position databaseand a position determination can be made to determine if a position issuspect or faulty. This methodology is performed by a suitable routineor routines operating in mobile control 38 (FIG. 2) or in communicationwith the mobile station.

In addition to time maintenance and performing “sanity checks” onpositions determined by the MS by referring to the MS position database42, the position database can be used for other purposes. The databasecan include data from geographical regions never before traveled. Forexample, a carrier for the MS may only operate in one country, e.g. theU.S., and the base station almanac used for assisted GPS would onlyfunction for that country as well. In the instance where the MS travelsto a foreign country, such as South Africa, the MS would not be able toaccess the position database for approximate position because the localcell ID-BSIC/PSC-frequency combination could not exist in the positiondatabase; cell ID is unique throughout the world. The network and BSAwould not be able to provide position location assistance either,because the MS is out of the country, and the United States BSA wouldnot recognize the South African cell ID. In this type of situation theMS might only be able to determine position using autonomous modes ofoperation or by a UE Based method using a very large initial positionuncertainty.

Returning to FIG. 3, the MS always adds unknown cellID-BSIC/PSC-frequency combinations to the position database 55. Cell IDsof a unique country code, outside of the MS home network, indicate thatthe cell is in a foreign locale. An “out-of-network” database can beconstructed by the network by associating position fix reports with theserving base station cell identifier. Once the MS has built an“out-of-network” position database, the information in that databasecould be transferred to a network given the messaging protocol of thatnetwork supported this type of information transfer. Thus an“out-of-network” database for that particular country exists not only inthe MS but is provided to a carrier as well to form an “out-of-network”BSA. This methodology is performed by a suitable routine or routinesoperating in mobile control 38 (FIG. 2) or in communication with themobile station.

The foregoing description illustrates exemplary implementations, andnovel features, of a method and apparatus for a mobile cellularidentification database for enhanced GPS performance. There are manyaspects to this method and apparatus, because it may involve interactionbetween numerous components of a communications system. While somesuggestions are provided for alternative uses and implementations of themethod and apparatus, it is of course not practical to exhaustively listor describe such alternatives. Accordingly, the scope of the presentedinvention should be determined only by reference to the appended claims,and should not otherwise be limited by features illustrated hereinexcept insofar as such limitation is recited in an appended claim.

While the above description has pointed out novel features of thedisclosed method and apparatus, the skilled person will understand thatvarious omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details ofthe method and apparatus illustrated may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For example, the skilled person will be ableto adapt the details described herein to communications systems having awide range of modulation techniques, transmitter and receiverarchitectures, and generally any number of different formats. Inparticular, any system transmitter may function as a base station forpurposes of this disclosure, and need not utilize UMTS, GSM or CDMAtechnology, nor even be a cellular telecommunications base station. Anytransmitter may be treated similarly as SVs are treated herein, withacquisition assistance information deduced, obtained and employed to aidin the acquisition of a signal from such transmitter.

The method and apparatus uses the term “SV signal” for signals that areto be acquired or measured, because this is a common practice and isgeometrically straightforward. However, any signal whose acquisition issought may be treated as set forth for a “SV signal” of the set that isto be measured. All procedures for other signals that are to bemeasured, such as untracked BS signals, are substantially similar oridentical to those referenced, such that the skilled person will readilymodify the calculations for such other signals without a need forexplicit instructions herein. Such other signals may serve many of thesame purposes as SV signals, for example for ranging and locationdetermination, and indeed may entirely supplant SV signals if necessary.

Each practical and novel combination of the elements describedhereinabove, and each practical combination of equivalents to suchelements, is contemplated as an embodiment of the invention. Partlybecause many more element combinations are contemplated as embodimentsof the invention than can reasonably be explicitly enumerated herein,the scope of the invention is properly defined by the appended claimsrather than by the foregoing description. Furthermore, any operablepossible combination of features described above should be considered ashaving been expressly and explicitly disclosed herein. All variationscoming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the various claimelements are embraced within the scope of the corresponding claim. Tothis end, each described element in each claim should be construed asbroadly as possible, and moreover should be understood to encompass anyequivalent to such element insofar as possible without also encompassingthe prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for determining a position of amobile station, the method comprising: storing a database of transmitteridentifiers and associated mobile station position information, whereinthe mobile station position information is one or more previouslydetermined positions of the mobile station; searching for a signal in anuncertainty region that is a function of the mobile station positioninformation in the database; and determining the position of the mobilestation using the signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a transmitter identifier through a wireless signal; andlocating the received transmitter identifier and associated mobilestation position information in the database; wherein the uncertaintyregion is a function of the mobile station position informationassociated with the received transmitter identifier.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitter is a cellular telecommunications basestation.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein storing a database comprises:storing at least one identifier selected from the group consisting ofcell ID, BSIC identifier, PSC identifier, and base station carrierfrequency; and storing mobile station position information associatedwith the identifier.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the uncertaintyregion comprises a region based upon mobile station position informationassociated with one transmitter identifier.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the uncertainty region comprises a region of predefined size. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the uncertainty region is further afunction of platform dynamics.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinplatform dynamics are based upon predefined velocity and accelerationinformation.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the uncertainty region isa function of the smallest of a region defined by mobile stationposition information in the database, a region of predefined size, and aregion based upon platform dynamics.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: limiting a first region (R₀) for a first position (x₀, y₀)as a function of the smallest of a region defined by mobile stationposition information stored in the database, a region of predefinedsize, and a region based upon assumed platform dynamics; limiting asecond region (R₁) for a second position (x₁, y₁) as a function of thesmallest of a region defined by mobile station position informationstored in the database, a region of predefined size, and a region basedupon assumed platform dynamics; and wherein the uncertainty region usedto search for the signal is an area of overlap of the first region (R₀)and the second region (R₁).
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising maintaining the database based upon updated mobile stationposition information.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining thedatabase comprises recalculating mobile station position informationbased upon previous mobile station position information and currentmobile station position information.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising performing time maintenance for the mobile station based uponmobile station position information in the database.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein performing time maintenance comprises: determining aposition for the mobile station based upon mobile station positioninformation in the database; measuring a signal propagation delay; anddetermining time based upon the position and the signal propagationdelay.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a sanitycheck on a position determination based upon mobile station positioninformation in the database.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising storing an “out-of-network” database when the transmitteridentifiers and associated mobile station position information arelocated outside a mobile station home network.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising transferring the “out-of-network” database to anetwork.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein searching for a signalcomprises searching for a satellite vehicle signal.
 19. A method ofdetermining mobile station position, comprising: receiving a transmitteridentifier from a base station; searching a position database stored inthe mobile station for the transmitter identifier, wherein the positiondatabase includes at least one identifier and mobile station positioninformation associated with the transmitter identifier, wherein themobile station position information is one or more previously determinedpositions of the mobile station; searching for a signal based upon themobile station position information from the position database; anddetermining precise mobile station position based upon an acquiredsignal.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the base station is acellular telecommunications base station.
 21. The method of claim 19,wherein the mobile station position information is one or morepreviously determined positions of the mobile station.
 22. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising storing precise mobile station positionassociated with the received transmitter identifier.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising calculating an approximate mobile stationposition associated with the received transmitter identifier based uponprecise mobile station position and at least one precise mobile stationposition determined earlier in time.
 24. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising comparing the received transmitter identifier to transmitteridentifiers stored in the position database to determine if the mobilestation communicated with the base station at an earlier time.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising adding the transmitter identifierto the position database in the event that the mobile station did notpreviously communicate with the base station.
 26. The method of claim25, further comprising storing mobile station position informationassociated with the added transmitter identifier in the positiondatabase.
 27. The method of claim 19, wherein searching for a signalcomprises searching for a satellite vehicle signal.
 28. A mobile stationapparatus comprising: a two-way communication system; a positionlocation system; mobile station control; and memory comprising aposition database comprising at least one transmitter identifier andmobile station position information associated with the transmitteridentifier, wherein the mobile station position information is one ormore previously determined positions of the mobile station; wherein thetwo-way communication system, position location system, mobile control,and memory communicate such that a signal is searched based upon themobile station position information in the position database.
 29. Themobile station of claim 28, wherein the transmitter identifier is anidentifier for a cellular telecommunications base station.
 30. Themobile station of claim 28, wherein the two way communication systemreceives a transmitter identifier from a base station and the signalsearch is based on mobile station position information associated withthe transmitter identifier in the position database.
 31. The mobilestation of claim 28, wherein the mobile station position informationcomprises precise position information for the mobile station at aparticular time, and approximate position information for theidentifier.
 32. The mobile station of claim 31, wherein approximateposition information is determined from the precise positioninformation.
 33. The mobile station of claim 28, wherein the signal is asatellite vehicle signal.
 34. A mobile station apparatus comprising:means for storing a database of transmitter identifications andassociated mobile station position information in mobile station memory,wherein the mobile station position information is one or morepreviously determined positions of the mobile station; means forreceiving a transmitter identifier from a base station; means forsearching the database to locate mobile station position informationassociated with the received transmitter identifier; means for searchingfor a signal in an uncertainty region that is a function of the locatedmobile station position information; and means for determining theposition of the mobile station assisting based upon signal acquisition.35. A processor comprising: a position location system and a mobilecontrol; memory comprising a position database comprising at least onetransmitter identifier and mobile station position informationassociated with the transmitter identifier, wherein the mobile stationposition information is one or more previously determined positions of amobile station; wherein the memory communicates with the positionlocation system and the mobile control such that the position locationsystem searches for a signal based upon the mobile station positioninformation in the position database.